The Hungarian government has officially declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, with Minister Gergely Gulyás revealing during a press conference today that travel bans are now in effect on arrivals from Italy, China, South Korea, and Iran.
In addition, all indoor events with over 100 people and outdoor events with more than 500 people are also banned.
At a joint press conference with the Coronavirus Operational Group, Gulyás said that additional government directives will be published in the upcoming hours and days.
Coronavirus travel ban in Hungary
According to the government directive, foreigners coming from Italy, China, South Korea and Iran will not be allowed to enter Hungary’s territory. Consequently, Hungary will not welcome trains, buses or flights from these four countries.
Hungarian citizens will be permitted to return home, but they will be placed in quarantine.
Universities closed and events canceled
All universities in Hungary will be temporarily closed, but education will continue via e-learning courses.
Additional measures include a ban on foreign school excursions. According to the directive, official government documents such as identification cards, drivers’ licenses and other official documents will be considered valid until the end of the state of the emergency. The measure is designed to keep people from venturing into government offices and potentially coming in contact with the virus.
Gulyás said that the above measures are valid until revoked and more information will follow in the next hours and days.
Title image: A paramedic on call wears on protective gear as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus in the garage of the Mohacs street station of the National Ambulance Service Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Any patients suspected of having contracted the Covid-19 infection will be taken to hospital by the order of their general practitioner. Today another three cases have emerged in Hungary, bringing the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country to 12. A total of 67 people are in quarantine, while samples have been taken from 362 people suspected of carrying the virus. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
